placeholder image

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports


Kawakami: Jimmy Garoppolo must be a ‘live 49ers option’ for 2023

Nov 7, 2022 at 12:45 PM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Here's a topic that will undoubtedly spark some debate among The Faithful. Should the San Francisco 49ers consider bringing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back in 2023? The Athletic's Tim Kawakami believes it has to at least be an option, especially if the team makes a deep playoff run this season with Garoppolo helming the offense.

"Yes, Garoppolo has to be a live 49ers option for 2023," Kawakami wrote in a recent mailbag. "I believe it's definitely on the table. How could it not be? Lance is no sure-thing as a playoff-level quarterback in 2023, just like he wasn't at the start of this season. And this is basically the third entire season Lance has missed (including 2020 at NDSU), at a very crucial development period for any young QB."

Kawakami adds that it isn't as straightforward as that, though. San Francisco still has to get through the second half of the season, and a lot could happen before it's over. While the 49ers are better with the addition of running back Christian McCaffrey, the team was hit-and-miss in the first half of the season.

Garoppolo will be a free agent after this season. The 49ers can't prevent that. It was built into his restructured one-year deal. He holds all the cards, so the decision to return has to be Garoppolo's. The quarterback admitted that the offseason drama was a challenge, and he didn't expect to still be with the team during the regular season.

If head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch want Garoppolo back, it will likely have to be as the starter. Otherwise, there is no reason for the veteran quarterback to return. Moreover, he is unlikely to desire to enter another season as Trey Lance's backup.

"That happened once. It won't happen again," Kawakami notes.

Also, what would that say about the 49ers' belief in Lance, the player they surrendered so much draft capital to acquire? Entering the 2022 season, the 49ers insisted that Lance was their guy, and nothing, barring injury, would change that. Unfortunately, an injury did happen, thrusting Garoppolo back into the starting lineup.

Fans will likely view a Garoppolo return as a misstep by the 49ers' decision-makers—a misstep at the most important position in football. One of the benefits of having a quarterback on a rookie contract is that it allows for some salary cap relief and the ability to retain some of your other stars. That benefit might be wasted by trying to hold onto Garoppolo.

Of course, Lance will be entering his third NFL season in 2023, still lacking much pro experience.

Kawakami adds, "If the 49ers and Garoppolo agree to keep this going into 2023, I think Lance would be considered the backup, and I think there could be logical repercussions from that, too."

In the meantime, it sounds like Lance is attacking his rehab, focused on his 2023 return.

"He's grinding," Lynch said last week, "He's convicted to come back and put himself in the best position to be a guy for this team moving forward. And that's what it takes, that kind of single-mindedness, and he has it. It's one of the reasons we brought him here. We sure wish that never happened, but it did, and Trey's making the best of it and approaching it with a tremendous mindset."



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

Jed York refuses to be ashamed of 49ers' 2023 campaign

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

Over the past five seasons, the San Francisco 49ers have appeared in four NFL Championship Games and two Super Bowls. The team represented the NFC in Super Bowl 58 last month, narrowly missing out on earning the organization's sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy. CEO and soon-to-be principal owner Jed York refuses to feel ashamed of what the 49ers accomplished during its 2023 campaign, recognizing that the team is regarded by many as a model for building an organization. Few NFL franchises have enjoyed as much success in recent years. "I just think you can't be ashamed of a successful season," York told reporters on Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings. "And our goal is always going to be to


placeholder image

Jimmy Garoppolo explains why he signed with 49ers' division rival

By David Bonilla
Mar 20

Jimmy Garoppolo is back in the NFC West after signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback recently explained his decision to join the division rival after a one-season stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. "Obviously good players all around," Garoppolo said, per ESPN. "That's a big part of it. Talking to [head coach] Sean [McVay] on the phone, him just running me through offense and things that he had in mind, it really became appetizing. And I know a lot of the coaches here, so a lot of familiarity in that aspect. And then having played against the Rams a lot in my career, I've seen a lot of good things


placeholder image

Charvarius Ward willing to help 49ers land Tre'Davious White

By David Bonilla
Mar 18

The San Francisco 49ers likely aren't finished fortifying their defense and have reportedly expressed interest in bolstering their defensive backfield. If they require assistance making a significant move, one 49ers player is prepared to lend a helping hand. Last week, the Buffalo Bills released All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White, who appears to be an ideal fit for San Francisco's needs opposite Charvarius Ward. Over the weekend, Ward took to social media to reveal that he and White share the same agent and that he is willing to nudge the free-agent defensive back in the right direction. Ward described White as a "hand in glove


placeholder image

49ers signing QB Josh Dobbs to a 1-year deal

By David Bonilla
Mar 18

The San Francisco 49ers are bolstering their quarterback room by adding a new player. According to his agent, Mike McCartney, the team is signing Josh Dobbs to a one-year deal. McCartney announced the news on social media, confirming the acquisition. Congrats @josh_dobbs1 agreeing to a 1 year deal with the @49ers— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 18,


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone